Sour note for festival

The International Marula Festival, held annually in Phalaborwa near the Kruger National Park, is marred by controversy.

Disgruntled artists from Mopani district where the event is to be held on February 28 threatened yesterday to disrupt the festival with a protest march if they are not included in the line-up and don't get a response from the organisers by the end of next week.

Artists such as Moocah, who recently won the Best R&B Metro award, Forsta Teanet, the 2008 Mungana Lonene's Best Shangaan Disco award holder, the country's Kwasakwasa Dance King Maloabotsheba (Steven Sefofa), and the ever- energetic Nkalidzo, are not billed to perform.